Changes to tiers in England


Changes to tiers in England

The government has announced changes to the tiers from 12:01am on 31 December to control the spread of coronavirus. 

These will remain in place until at least the next formal government review. 

You can read more about what areas will move tiers and the measures on GOV.UK  

Driving lessons

Driving lessons can continue in Tiers 1 to 3.  

Driving lessons must not take place in Tier 4 areas until the restrictions are lifted

You must not travel out of Tier 4 area to give driving lessons or to take a pupil for a test. 

Driving tests

Driving tests can continue in Tiers 1 to 3.  

Areas in Tier 3

Additional safety measures are in place for car driving tests in Tier 3 areas. These are:

  • reducing the number of car practical tests our examiners carry out per day from 6 to 5
  • anyone who has a car driving test booked in a Tier 3 area who is exempt from wearing a face covering may have to delay their test until the area moves out of Tier 3. We will reschedule their test if we cannot find a volunteer driving examiner to conduct their test without them wearing a face covering

When areas go into Tier 1 or 2, the number of car tests will go back to 6 per day per examiner. We’ll be emailing everyone in a Tier 3 area who has a test booked during the period of the restrictions to let them know about the additional measures.

Areas in Tier 4

All car driving tests are suspended in Tier 4 areas until the restrictions are lifted. This includes ADI part 2 and 3 tests and standards checks.

We'll email candidates who are affected by this to let them know we will reschedule their test.

If you have booked a test for any of your pupils you will receive an email to let you know it will be rescheduled to a new time and date. You will need to contact your pupil to let them know.

We’ll then send you an email with the new time and date as soon as possible; please ask your pupils to be patient.

If the new time and date is not suitable for you or your pupil, you can choose a different time and date on GOV.UK. You will need your pupil’s driving licence number to do this. Your pupil does not need to pay again to do this.

Theory tests

Theory tests can continue in Tiers 1 to 3.

All theory tests will be suspended in Tier 4 areas until restrictions are lifted.

We will email anyone who has booked a test and is affected by this to let them know their theory test is on hold and that they will need to reschedule it by visiting https://www.gov.uk/change-theory-test.

If you booked your pupil’s theory test you will need to log into the booking system and rearrange their test for a new date and time.

More information

You can find what financial support is available to you on GOV.UK.

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